MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Escudero wants the chair of National Youth Commission sacked over his proposal to revoke the scholarships of students suspected to have links with leftist organizations.

“If we’re kicking someone out, it should be him and not the students,” Escudero, chair of the Senate committee on education, arts and culture, said Wednesday.

This, after NYC head Ronald Cardema urged the president to issue an executive order stripping what he called “anti-government” students of scholarships.

His suggestion shows his ignorance of the Constitution and that his pronouncement is not part of the commission’s mandate, Escudero said.

“The sycophantic and obsequious suggestion of the NYC head shows his ignorance of the Constitution and, far from helping, is surely doing a disservice to President Rodrigo Duterte and the government,” the lawmaker said.

Filipinos, including students, are afforded with the right to free speech and expression, peaceful assembly to petition the government for redress of grievances.

“Both the president and the government should serve every Filipino without distinction and regardless of political beliefs. Dissent in a democracy should never be frowned upon, much less penalized in any way,” Escudero said.

When US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited last week, he made assurances his country would come to the Philippines’ defense in the event of an armed attack on our vessels and aircraft in the South China Sea.

President Duterte and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad emphasized yesterday the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in maintaining peace and progress in the region, which is grappling with territorial disputes as well as China’s muscle-flexing.